May 24, 2010

Greenpeace Action Against More Arctic Drilling

The lax oversight from the Federal Minerals Management Service when it comes to offshore oil drilling is sounding worse and worse with each new media story. We found out yesterday that even with a “moratorium” on new offshore drilling permits, projects are still moving ahead. Solve Climate just reported that MMS was warned about deep water gas blowouts in 2009. An article out today talks about the culture in MMS that caused them to discard reports and findings from scientists that permits for drilling needed an environmental impact assessment, which would slow down the process. One of the permits that’s already been granted amongst these corrupt decisions was to Shell oil to drill in the Alaskan Arctic. Today, Greenpeace staged an action to send a message to the Obama administration. Below is the picture, along with an excerpt from their description of it

“The activists took a stand at a drilling supply ship that’s scheduled to leave for the Arctic this summer. Oil from the spill was used to paint the message “Arctic Next?” on the bridge of the ship. Shell hopes to use the ship to support their plans for exploratory drilling off the coast of Alaska in July. But before that can happen, Secretary Salazar has to approve their plan. He’s literally deciding what to do as you read this.”